Cloud Computing

This column gives a sneak preview of what actually cloud computing is? It’s the buzzword in Internet domain. My column doesn’t give an in-depth analysis but a layman view on Cloud Computing.

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is a concept in which cloud signifies the “Internet” and it uses computer technology. This concept enables the end user to be free from the shackles of expertise of computer technology, infrastructure setup etc. Cloud computing provides users a platform, consumption and delivery model for IT related services. It can be used to provide dynamically extensible resources as a service on the internet. Cloud Computing provides mainly business applications which can be accessed using a web-browser over the internet. The software required to execute this application and database to store the data are stored on servers.

Cloud computing customers are generally virtual users of a particular business application running on a server. They necessarily need not own physical infrastructure to run this application or capital expenditure required to host the application on a third party service provider. A common example for cloud computing is a business complex where office spaces are provided with all the furnishings done and furniture provided. Customers can rent these spaces for their usage without installing any added infrastructure.

Hope this example simplifies the concept of cloud computing. Now is an example for an business application used under Cloud Computing concept.

Company A has developed an MIS (Management Information System) for small to medium scale companies requiring such systems for their day to day activities. Company A launches this application over the internet. A medium scale company say, Company X requires such kind of application, but are not in a position to build it or outsource it for development. Reasons may be time span for development, monetary aspect or lack of technological expertise. Company X acquires the rights to access this application and use it under Cloud Computing Concept. This enables Company X to save on time required for development of this application, investment required to develop this application as well as infrastructure to run this application.

  Hope this piece of information clears the air on what actually Cloud Computing is? Next part will give a detailed information on layers, architecture and types of services under cloud computing.